Two things. First, this will be a short post because I’m pooped. Second, don’t worry, even though my life seems to revolve around cross country this time of year, I will not be posting about our meets each week. Only every other week (kidding!).
The cross country team had their first invitational meet this morning, at Cal Poly in Pomona. The races started at 8:00, so we had to leave our school in Palm Desert at 5:00. Amazingly, everyone was on time (including the bus, which doesn’t always happen).
The key for the bus ride is to bring a pillow. Bus seats aren’t very comfortable, and it’s early, so taking a nap is a great solution for a long bus ride. It takes the team about 15 minutes to settle down, then suddenly it is very quiet on the bus. I felt a little too caffeinated this morning and couldn’t sleep, but I did lay down for most of the ride.
The bus was a little shaky.
We had a great bus driver. Friendly and fast. She got us there in less than two hours. That left about an hour to get settled, get the first team warmed up, pick up our packets. It was such a joy to get off the bus and feel the cool temperatures (in the 70s probably). We knew the team would run well.
I didn’t take many pictures (I had a team mom for that!), but I couldn’t resist these guys. The course went right by their pasture, and they would get excited and run along with the runners. (I was too slow, I didn’t excite them.)
And they did! Without going into detail about each race (like I said, it has been a long day and I’m tired), we were very proud of the team. We are runners from a small school in a relatively small area, and we were competing against some of the bigger schools in the Los Angeles/Riverside area. They did great!
Cross country girls are the best posers!
I try to run from point to point during the races, to coach and cheer the team on. This wasn’t an especially spectator friendly course, but I certainly did get a lot of running in (as did my Team Mom, also a runner). We both got about five miles, which I think is a record for me at a meet. I’m quite happy about that.
We finished up about 11:30, then it was time for the long ride home. It was about 90 degrees in Pomona heading toward 102 in Palm Desert. We were in a school bus. Not a fun ride.
Truer words were never written.
A quick stop for lunch meant another disappointment. We always stop in Banning where there are several fast food joints and plenty of room for bus parking. For years, Alan and I would head down the street a bit where sat a Starbucks/Subway combination. A veggie sandwich and an iced coffee, perfect fast lunch. But we found out that they had closed the Subway (and moved it a mile down the street, not an option for this tired coach). Fortunately, having used what Alan calls the “Wife App” I had packed enough food to tide us over, including a vegan lentil wrap that I’d picked up at Trader Joe’s the day before. Hurray for planning for everything!
We finally got back to the school about 2:30, transferred our gear to our car and got home about 3:00. Where we’ve kind of sat around for the last couple hours, recovering. We have to do it all over again next week, after all!
How is your weekend going?
Oh, I am so glad I’m past the sports school bus years. My youngest is a sophomore, but he does stage crew for the plays, so no travel. I think all bus moms deserve extra Mom points, as it’s NOT fun.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..End of Summer Trip to Rancho la Puerta
The moms get to follow behind in their own air conditioned cars! Just us poor coaches “get” to go on the bus.
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: Cross Country Meet
Well done. I imagine you have to love it to put up with the bus!
I also love that you had a sneaky emergency lunch sorted out!
Kate recently posted..I’m not great with maths
Interestingly, that was the first time in 10 years of doing this I’ve ever brought lunch. Worked out well.
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: Cross Country Meet
my weekend is going great. i got myself a yoga mat and started looking at different on demand videos! so exciting!!! i also had a fun bonfire with friends last night, which is great! i love the pic of the horses that you posted. they are gorgeous!! im glad the meet went well, i can’t imagine that hot bus ride though! yeeeck!!! happy sunday, mama laquinta!
I’m going to start signing my posts Mama LaQuinta!
Glad you’re having a good weekend. A bonfire sounds fun.
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: Cross Country Meet
Way to brave that heat! shew, that’s definitely not fun…but I’m sure it’s all worth it!
Katie @wishandwhimsy recently posted..Small Things Sunday | Round Up
Well, it is kind of fun in a miserable kind of way.
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: Cross Country Meet
Yay for planning ahead! I could use a lesson or two on that. I’m almost always unprepared haha
Presley @ Run Pretty recently posted..Successful Saturday + Super Sixty Ab Circuit
Yeah, I was pretty pleased with myself for bringing the lentil wraps. I always bring the PB sandwiches, but this time I stepped it up
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Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: Cross Country Meet
sounds like a fun (but long) day. love the pictures of the horses!!! have a great sunday! spa love!
Glenneth recently posted..Best Body Bootcamp Week 7 Update
The horses were pretty cool. They were really beautiful, not sure what kind but they looked like Arabians to me (my experience dates back to when I was in high school and had an Arabian horse – a loooonnnnngggg time ago).
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: Cross Country Meet
Nice to see your team did well! I never ran cross country in high school. I always thought the people that ran that far was crazy haha… Obviously my mind has changed since then.
One of the best slogans for cross country (I think) is: Our Sport is Your Sport’s Punishment. So true.
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: Cross Country Meet
This reminds me of my cross country days in hs. And you’re right when everyone shows up on time it’s a miracle haha. In college my coach used to actually leave people behind if they weren’t on time and they would have to drive themselves to the meet. To be honest , this happened to me once and it worked b/c I was never late again
Noelle McKenzie recently posted..September monthly fitness challenge and link-ups!
We have left runners behind before, but usually when they are so late that there is no hope. Unlike college students, most hs kids don’t have cars (not that all college students do either). It’s true though that being left behind one time is enough to teach you to be on time
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Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: Cross Country Meet
Congrats on your team’s showing! I admire the dedication you show to your students. I saw a high school car wash yesterday and thought of your brilliant idea to sell advance tickets
Kareen recently posted..Green Smoothie and Juicing Grocery Haul
Thank you. I really do love coaching and the kids. And, as much as I’d like to take the credit, it really was my husband’s brilliant idea (are you reading this, honey?).
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: Cross Country Meet
great job for the team!! and in those temps? ugh!! but sounds like a fun day regardless!!
fizzgig recently posted..Week-ending…
The running temps weren’t bad, especially for us because we’re so used to the heat. It was that dang bus ride that is the killer.
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: Cross Country Meet
Great photo of the girls, and so fun that you are a coach. I really wouldn’t mind hearing about races on your blog!
Paulette @paulettezf recently posted..Chicago Half Marathon Race Report
I really love coaching. I also really love when the season is over
I tell you, my cross country girls do some great posing!
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